NAATS Attendees: Ron Maisel; EA Regional Director, Patrick Less; EA Regional Coordinator, Ron Consalvo; MIV AFSS FACREP, and Stephen Glowacki; EA LMR Coordinator EKN AFSS.
FAA Attendees: David Siewert AEA-540, Michael Doss AEA540/LMR.
My overall impression of the meeting was quite positive. This is the second time that we have met with the EA LMR team of Siewert and Doss. They came prepared and ready to discuss and attempt resolution on the issues at hand. The meeting was structured was to complete article 67 grievances first, followed by article 10 matters. Please note that there was a significant reduction in the number of grievances from the last quarterly held on August 5, 1999 at EKN AFSS.
Grievances Discussed:
NA-AEA-99-013-AOO-05 Excused Leave for Hazardous Weather
NA-AEA-99-077-EKN-05 Overtime-Staffing
NA-AEA-99-078-EKN-05 Overtime
NA-AEA-99-083-MIV-05 Sick Leave
NA-AEA-99-087-ISP-05 Familiarization
NA-AEA-99-061-DCA-05 Hostile Work Environment
NA-AEA-99-084-MIV-05 Shift Change
ISSUES
What is going on Nationally and Regionally?
Article 10 Discussions
| AFSS | FPL/DEV AUTH | FPL/DEV as of 12/21/99 |
| ISP | 36 | 44 |
| AOO | 42 | 43 |
| IPT | 45 | 41 |
| DCA | 46 | 57 |
| MIV | 46 | 31 |
| EKN | 32 | 25 |
| BUF | 36 | 26 |
| Total | 283 | 267 |
NAATS noted the table contained questionable to possibly incorrect information. Questions included: Do numbers include medically disqualified, part-timers, details, include FSDPS, and retirees who have submitted paperwork?
Out of the national hiring, six new controllers will be coming to EA. The six will be used to fulfill the ATCCC MOU and be assigned to DCA AFSS. If the ATCCC MOU did not exist, it seems quite possible that EA would have been allocated ZERO Controllers.
MIV, BUF, and EKN were identified as critically understaffed.
2) CPP MOU- discussed the language of the MOU focusing on the release time specifications.
3) EA Traffic Management Program-Item carried over from past quarterlies. NAATS wants the meeting to occur with all EA FACREPS&ATMS. FAA concerns over funding. Is this an operational meeting? Siewert committed to request funding from Headquarters. If funded, tentatively plan for February.
4) Graphic Weather Display System: Briefing paper on GWDS provided to NAATS. There is a need to fill GWDS from current time to OASIS deployment. Patrick Less named as NAATS EA contact for GWDS. An information meeting between Less and AEA to be scheduled.
WEST HUB has asked for $62,000 EAST HUB has asked for $40,000
Remember that these were amounts requested not allocated.
NAATS voiced strong concern over some EA AFSS ATM's belief that there are no overtime funds available as demonstrated in a grievance response. Siewert stated that there is overtime money available for operational requirements, and he would make that clear to the AFSS management team.
Regional Coordinator Issues
Live Long and Prosper,
Patrick R. Less
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I spoke with Ron yesterday. We are still awaiting a letter from the RO
reference their notification on the Training. Thy have stated that any
official time will only be applied in accordance with the contract. No
provision for Alternate FACREPS. Ron is still working the issue. It has also
come to my attention that the agenda faxed out by Ron may have not been
received by everyone. I will fax it to those that don't have it. Please let
me know who you are.
Live long and prosper, pl
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More of Less Volume 1.6 December 1999
Eastern Region Management: Friend or Foe?
Yes AEA, there is a Flight Service!
How many times have you had to ask yourself, does the Region really care about the AFSSs and FSDPSs? I mean really take an active role in ensuring that it's FSS work force has all the necessary elements to fulfill our mission. Based on discussions with many controllers, the answer to that question is a shocking NO.
Is this a fair and accurate assessment of the Regional leadership? To answer that question, we need to develop a fair and objective baseline of minimal requirements that a Regional Management team will meet. This is not an easy task. Have you ever be given the time to sit down and review FAA
Orders and Regulations on this specific subject. I know that I have not.Have you been provided an overall VISION STATEMENT for the AEA Region? Have you seen a VISION STATEMENT specific to Air TRAFFIC for the AEA Region? Have you located a VISION STATEMENT specific to Flight Service for the AEA Region?
Unfortunately, I again must answer in the negative to these inquiries. So how can we accurately measure the performance of the AEA Air Traffic Management Team?
We begin the process by defining elements of essential functions that the Region must provide for us to successfully perform our function in the National Airspace System.
It is at this point that I propose to turn over the playing field to the NAATS EA Membership. This is an opportunity for you to provide your input and responses to develop our rating system of the AEA Air Traffic Management Team.
As a beginning point, Let's set a goal of identifying 4 or 5 basic functions that we demand that the AEA Region fulfill. Based on discussions with you, I've heard about the lack of user community input, equipment issues, staffing issues, overtime issues, lack of communications, lack of a feedback-rating system on how your facility's Management Team supports it's controllers; just to name a few. These issues are only intended as a flint to spark your views on requirements that working controllers expect from the AEA.
Take your time and think it over. If you believe that this is a relevant issue and worthy of your time and consideration, make the effort and provide me your thoughts. Thanks in advance for the time and consideration.
ISSUES
What is going on Nationally and Regionally?
On the National scene, I have heard only positive comments on the outcome of the National General Aviation Summit held at La Font Plaza, Washington D.C. this past month. As we controllers already know, the Aviation Community acknowledges and advocates the vital role we play in the National Airspace System (in contrast to some of our own FAA Managers). For more detailed information please see the National Office Update #28 dated November 22, 1999.
I encourage every member to seriously consider volunteering for the various positions involving national committees and details. This is such an excellent opportunity for you to make a difference and improve our organization and option. I can speak from experience on this topic. My involvement in the Y2K Program office Liaison provided me with new insight and understanding that I could not have obtained through any other means. For more detailed information please see the National Office Update #29 dated December 3,1999.
I cannot do enough to acknowledge the job that our liaisons have and continue to do at FAA Headquarters. The membership needs to know that.
A Board of Directors meeting was held during the week of November 29, 1999. For more detailed information please see National Office Update #29 dated 12/3/1999.
A tentative date of December 22, 1999 has been agreed upon for the NAATS/FAA EA Quarterly.
HOLIDAY AWARDS
The AEA Management Team for being one of, if not the only Region, not having a 500 or 501 in attendance at the General Aviation Summit down in DC. Does this speak volumes about their commitment to General Aviation in our Region? Thinking about it further, DC is in our geographic boundary.
§ § § § § § § § § § § § § § § § § § § § § § § § § § §
The AEA AFSS ATM team for not standing up to the AEA to correct the injustices endured by the controllers they are responsible for supporting. Hey how much overtime did your facility use? How much leave was denied? Any new bodies recently? ¨ ¨ ¨ ¨ ¨ ¨ ¨ ¨ ¨ ¨ ¨ ¨ ¨ ¨ ¨ ¨ ¨ ¨ ¨ ¨ ¨ ¨ ¨ ¨ ¨ ¨ ¨
The EA NAATS Membership for their continued effort and support in providing the very best ATC services throughout a very busy 1999.
© © © © © © © © © © © © © © © © © © © © © © © © ©
The EA FACREPS, Alternate FACREPS, and all the other members representing NAATS in all the different forums. The sacrifices and efforts have been monumental.
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ª ª ª ª ª ª ª ª ª ª ª ª ª ª ª ª ª ª ª ª ª
Live Long and Prosper, PL
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NAATS/FAA QUARTERLY MEETING ON 12/21/1999 AT MIV AFSS
Prepared by Patrick R. Less, NAATS EA REGCO
NAATS Attendees: Ron Maisel; EA Regional Director, Patrick Less; EA Regional Coordinator, Ron Consalvo; MIV AFSS FACREP, and Stephen Glowacki; EA LMR Coordinator EKN AFSS.
FAA Attendees: David Siewert AEA-540, Michael Doss AEA540/LMR
My overall impression of the meeting was quite positive. This is the second time that we have met with the EA LMR team of Siewart and Doss. They came prepared and ready to discuss and attempt resolution on the issues at hand. The meeting structure was to complete article 67 grievances first, followed by article 10 matters. Please note that there was a significant reduction in the number of grievances from the last quarterly held on August 5, 1999 at EKN AFSS.
Grievance Resolution
NA-AEA-99-013-AOO-05 Excused leave for Hazardous Weather: Grievant will receive 5.1 hours of excused leave.
NA-AEA-99-077-EKN-05 Overtime\Staffing: Denied.
NA-AEA-99-078-EKN-05 Overtime: Denied.
NA-AEA-99-083-MIV-05 Sick Leave: Grievant's AWOL will be converted to sick leave.
NA-AEA-99-087-ISP-05 Familiarization: Abeyance until 1/21/2000
NA-AEA-99-061-DCA-05 Hostile Work Environment-FSDPS: Denied
NA-AEA-99-084-MIV-05 Shift Change: The Parties agree to meet to discuss the consistent application of the facility flextime policy. Grievant will be granted 2 hours compensatory time.
Article 10 Discussions
Staffing Standards- AEA provide the following table:
| Facility | FPL/DEV AUTH | FPL/DEV as of 12/21/99 |
| ISP | 36 | 44 |
| AOO | 42 | 43 |
| IPT | 45 | 41 |
| DCA | 46 | 57 |
| MIV | 46 | 31 |
| EKN | 32 | 25 |
| BUF | 36 | 26 |
| TOTAL | 283 | 267 |
NAATS noted the table contained questionable to possibly incorrect information. Questions included: Do numbers include medically disqualified, part-timers, details, include FSDPS, and retirees who have submitted paperwork?
Information from the last PROCOM meeting differed from this data, noting that each data set was based on different date.
From the national hiring, six new controllers will be coming to the EA. The six will be used to fulfill the ATCCC MOU and be assigned to DCA AFSS. If the ATCCC MOU did not exist, it seems possible that EA would have been allocated zero controllers.
MIV, BUF, and EKN were identified as critically understaffed.
2) CPP MOU- discussed the language of the MOU focusing on the release time specifications.
3) EA Traffic Management Program-Item carried over from past quarterlies. NAATS wants the meeting to occur with all EA FACREPS&ATMS. FAA concerns over funding. Is this an operational meeting? Siewert committed to request funding from Headquarters. If funded, tentatively plan for February.
4) Graphic Weather Display System: Briefing paper on GWDS provided to NAATS. There is a need to fill GWDS from current time to OASIS deployment. Patrick Less named as NAATS EA contact for GWDS. An information meeting between Less and AEA to be scheduled.
Overtime-AEA provided the following information on overtime funding requests:
WEST HUB has asked for $62,000 EAST HUB has asked for $40,000
Remember that these were amounts requested not allocated.
NAATS voiced strong concern over some EA AFSS ATM's belief that there are no overtime funds available as demonstrated in a grievance response. Siewart stated that there is overtime money available for operation requirements, and he would make that clear to the AFSS management team.
Maisel advised that NAATS EA is planning to conduct LMR Training for FACREPS and Alternate FACREPS on official time in February. Siewert requested that Maisel submit such in writing.
Regional Coordinator Issues
Submitted Draft EA Order on Presidential Special Flight Coordinated procedures. Distribution list did not include NAATS, but did include other Unions. Siewert to investigate issue and respond.
Requested information on FAA's change of position on the Mandatory Separation Age for Air Traffic Controllers. This change was supposedly based on OPM interpretation. Siewert to investigate and reply
Requested a briefing by Regional EEO Representative on procedures and rights of NAATS Bargaining Unit Members filing EEO charges. Siewert to make arrangements.
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